Canadian classical composer John Beckwith has a hit on his hands. It might have something to do with the fact that the piece of music is called "Blurred Lines." It shares a name with Robin Thicke's summer chart-topper.

The rules for performance these days are onerous in Iran. Women can't appear before male audiences. It's hard to remember that before the 1979 revolution, anyone could make music there. Including a gay academic.

Scholars and the OED have cited Shakespeare as the originator of more than 1600 words. While he was the first to write down many words, new research fueled by computer analysis indicates he didn't invent as many words as once thought.

Maracatu is a musical and performance style from the northeastern part of Brazil. It's experiencing a resurgence these days thanks in part to a collaboration between a Brazilian group and a Brooklyn-based band.

You don't have to be all that fit to enjoy the TV soap opera that millions of people are watching right now in Colombia. Although, it is about sports. Sort of. "La Seleccion" is a TV series about some star Colombian soccer players.

Olivier Libaux, one the founding members of the French cover band has remade songs by the California rock group, Queens of the Stone Age. Anchor Aaron Schachter speaks with Libaux about his latest album 'Uncovered Queens of the Stone Age.'

Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Benson Lee, director of a new documentary called "Planet B-Boy: Breakdancing has Evolved." The film documents the global expansion of breakdancing -- including an annual hip-hop competition called "The Battle of the Year."

The Cuban band Rhythms del Mundo adds a little Latin spice to classic rock and soul tunes. They also get a little help from artists like Amy Winehouse and Jack Johnson. The World's William Troop has more.

Egyptian-Anglo singer Natacha Atlas had already recorded a subversive political song. Then the uprising in Egypt gave her the chance to adapt that song. The World's Marco Werman speaks with Atlas about the new track, called "Egypt: Rise to Freedom."

Canadian singer Nelly Furtado has a new album out called "The Spirit Indestructible." Furtado tells anchor Lisa Mullins that the songs on the album were inspired by a trip to Africa, the Arab Spring and more.

James Lovell grew up in Belize and heard Garifuna spoken by his parents and grandparents. He didn't really want to speak the language until he heard music of a local musician. Now, James Lovell wants to spread the language of Garifuna through song.

Fiji has struggled over the past few decades. Four military coups have taken place since 1987. Reporter Michael Rhee visited a Fijian band Rosiloa on the main island of Viti Levu who are trying to keep their culture alive.

When Spanish-speaking actresses come to this country, they often spend a bundle on trying to lose their accents. But these days,a Latino accent can be an asset. Sara Loscos of Feet in Two Worlds has the story.

Apart from his role as Tony Soprano, actor James Gandolfini also made his mark through "Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq," a documentary about injured Iraq war veterans adapting to life back here in the US.